Chapter 141: Volkswagen Type I


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    Over the years, Bruno had made his best attempts to take advantage of his reincarnation in every way possible. Since as early as 1901, Bruno had begun investing in a wide variety of industries and fields across the world''s foremost powers.


    To put it simply, he owned thend, resources, and means of production, either in part or totality, to produce just about anything his mind could conceive on this earth.


    As a result of this, Bruno''s wealth would soon, in theing decades, begin to match that of those legendary figures who had built their fortunes in the previous century such as John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie.


    While not quite on their level at the moment, Bruno was certainly not hurting for money. And was free to invest as he saw fit. Because of this, he had invested heavily in the automotive industry both in the United States and the German Reich.


    Bruno had little interference in the matters of corporations such as Ford Motors, GMC, and all the other major American automotive corporations that would be global names in the distant future. Rather, his means as a shareholder were simply to acquire wealth for the future when thesepanies peaked in value.


    But on the German side, he had been busy working towards a single end. As far back as 1905, Bruno had acquired significant shares in the tworgest German Automotive Corporations of the era. Daimler, Motors Corporation, and Benz & Cie. Hepelled the two that year to merge under the banner of Daimler-Benz. Something that would not normally ur until 1926 without his interference.


    The result of this merger was that the price of automobiles in the German Reich, which were until very recently hand crafted, and sold exclusively to the wealthy elites of society, began to drop as the two biggest manufacturers of automobiles in the German Reich consolidated their assets and personnel into one majorpany.


    However, that simply wasn''t good enough for Bruno, as the idea of the middle ss, or even the lower-ss obtaining automobiles, was still the fever dream of a madman. Luckily for the hardworking people of the German Reich, Bruno had long since begun making preparations towards this "fantasy."


    Having acquired thend to build a brand-new state-of-the-art automobile factory as far back as 1903, Bruno had been in his own spare time setting up a corporation meant to bring to the market the world''s first mass-produced automobile. One designed to be sold to the masses, rather than the wealthy elite.


    If Daimler-Benz automobiles were a luxury that only the rich could afford. Then Bruno''s new corporation would be producing cars for the average man and his family. Which was perhaps why he had stolen a name for thispany from his past life.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    As a result of Bruno''s interference in this new timeline. Something rather miraculous urred. In the year 1907, Volkswagen had produced its first automobile, the Volkswagen Type 1. It was marketed to the middle ss, who were all astounded not only by the affordable price tag but also by the revolutionary and "futuristic" design.


    Normally, had the timeline progressed as it was fated to, without Bruno''s interference, Henry Ford would a year from now revolutionize the automotive industry by introducing new production methods such as the assembly line to bring down costs of his vehicles. Making them affordable for the middle ss and forever changing thendscape of transportation within the world.


    However, Bruno had already long since nned to usurp this achievement in the annals of human history, instead of having established the Volkswagen corporation for this very purpose. He had more recently decided to interfere with military logistics by designing a truck towards this end. But the civilian market had been a goal of his for many years now.


    Hence, Bruno was currently standing in his Volkswagen factory gazing upon the final product, as it was brought to life by the manyborers in his employ. What he was staring at wasn''t the most beautiful car to ever grace the earth, nor was it the most luxurious. In fact, it was a rather simple automobile by the standards of the era it was from.


    However, whenpared to everything else on the market in 1907, other than perhaps thetest models produced and sold by Daimler-Benz, it was beyond revolutionary in design. Bruno ced his hand on the ck paint of the vehicle and wore a proud smile.


    Not only had his efforts in establishing this corporatione to pass, but the efforts of every man in his employ had done so as well. From the lowest factory worker, to the mid-level marketing agents, to the highest corporate executive whorgely ran thepany in Bruno''s stead.


    Everything had progressed smoothly, until today. A mass-produced automobile for the masses had been manufactured. It was the first of many toe off the assembly line today. And shockingly enough, as Bruno turned around to congratte the factory workers on their exemry aplishment, they handed him the keys to the ignition.


    The factory foreman stood with a wide smile on his average face, as he told Bruno that the first Type I to evere off of the assembly line was his to own. Something that almost warmed Bruno''s otherwise ice-cold heart.


    "Sir, the workers and I have been talking it through. And we even discussed it with the executives. What you are looking at is your visione into life. Everyone here at the Volkswagenpany thinks you should be the one to own this vehicle. Would you honor us by epting this gift?"


    Technically speaking, until every single one of these cars sold, they were Bruno''s property. But the thought was quite the gift itself. And since Bruno would soon own an estate that could house many vehicles in its massive garage, Bruno saw no reason to decline the heartwarming offer.


    In fact, he ced his hand on the foreman''s shoulder and thanked the man, as well as his workers, before assuring them they would all be proud owners of Volkswagen automobiles soon enough.


    "Thank you. It is truly an exceptional gift. In fact, I was already nning to give you all the first vehicles toe off the line. Your hard work has made my vision manifest, and I would be nothing but ungrateful not to reward you all for your efforts! In addition to this, I will be handing out generous bonuses to each of you for all of your efforts that have seen this dream of ours be a reality!


    Here, at Volkswagen, you can all have a career you can be proud of. Because thispany, and all of yourbor, will change the German Reich for the better. It is the dawn of a new era, and you are all pioneers along with me for the journey!"


    Bruno would, of course, live up to his promise, giving out very generous bonuses to the workers, especially once the sales came flooding in. They would all have very long and prosperous careers at the Volkswagen Corporation, which was officially under Bruno''s sole


    ownership.


    Soon enough, the Type I Beetle would be flooding the streets of every major German City. As Bruno had single-handedly revolutionized the automotive industry. Not only by bringing down costs via ownership of every facet of production, but also by introducing assembly lines, something which Henry Ford would have otherwise be known for in the following


    year.


    Naturally, this major shift in transportation did not take away from the other means of transportation, but it did in fact increase the need for oil production. Which would in turn also y into Bruno''s profits as oil and natural gas fromnds he owned in German Kamerun, and the Russian Empire would soon begin flooding into the German Reich. Either by sea, railway, or of course by pipeline. All of which Bruno had already begun investing in. The dawn of the age of oil had only truly just begun as a result of Bruno''s efforts. And the full fruit of which would be revealed on the battlefield when the time for the Great


    War to begin finally arrived.


    Bruno could only now sit back and admire how all of his efforts were converging together to support his interests. Still, he would not growcent. To do so would bring ruin upon himself, his family, and the fathend.


    One must remain ever vignt, and perhaps even the slightest bit paranoid, if they were in Bruno''s shoes. Enemies lurked around every corner, and it would take only the slightest slip up to end his life, and in doing so, revert the course of fate back to its natural progression. Something which Bruno could never allow, for if he did so, then all of his efforts up to this point would have been for nought. And if that were to ur, then what was the purpose of his reincarnation, if not simply God mocking him for even bothering to try?